“We had an incredible amount of life around the boat in the dark. There was an amazing amount of foraging and different predators that comprise a food chain beneficial to those of us fishing for yellowfin tuna. We picked up a couple of fish throughout the night but it started biting steadier around 3 in the morning. The original bone white glow in the dark heavy pl68 was working well and we also caught a few on skipjack and the sinker sardine rig. They were a beautiful 120 to 190-pound class, with my old pinhead from the past (Tom Mato, who worked for us the summer of 1985 on the Cherokee Geisha when we kicked the poop out of the albacore and had many encounters with bigeye) catching the morning’s best, a 222-pounder, on a Salas jig.

By the time the sun came up we ended up with a baker’s dozen as we looked forward to plenty of more fishing time. Then the strangest thing happened: the rest of the day we had fish around the boat, visually on the machines and jumping, but had no luck catching and only caught a couple of fish during the daylight hours. After dark the weather forecasts kept upgrading for the worse and we are used our best judgement, learned from Steve Loomis 25 years ago; nobody’s safety is worth a fish. We left to avoid treacherous sea conditions."

“In The Wee Hours”

Independence skipper Jeff DeBuys posted for January 15:

“We got going very early this morning catching Yellowfin Tuna, and pretty much stayed busy all day long. The bulk of the catch is 60 to 140 pounds, with some 50-pound stuff abundant at times. Two standouts today: Albert Chuang caught a 230-pound tuna, and Floyd Spangler got a 215-pound beauty in the wee hours. It was a real mixed bag, as you didn't know if the bite was a 100-pounder or a 50-pound fish, and everyone had a great time yanking and pulling. Great weather is on tap for the moment, and we are going to try this again tomorrow.”

Bird School Stop

Kevin Osborne wrote for the Intrepid January 15:

We made slow speed all night and throughout the day after leaving the Bank. Windy, choppy weather continued to push against us as we made our way to the Island. We did stop and fish a bit twice today when we spotted a small bird school that was holding Baby Yellowfin, skipjack, and small sharks that were feeding on a squid ball. The other stop was on a jig strike where Darrel picked off a nice Wahoo this afternoon. We are safe and sound in the lee and are currently making bait for tomorrow’s fishing."

Good Scratch

Tim Ekstrom wrote for his Royal Star January 15:

“Following a heavenly night fast to the bottom we spent the vast majority of our morning in search mode. Again the fish gods did not favor the waters on our bow. But with the afternoon came mercy. Good scratch fishing for yellowfin tuna in the 60 – 90# class with a handful of 100 –to 120 pounders and a two or three shots at bruisers.

“A lot more like what we came for that full afternoon of stationary fishing and catching did wonders for morale. Not that anyone was griping or downtrodden before, concerned is probably the best description, but a lot of that angst melted away when fish started coming on board. For certain the atmosphere on the bridge improved. We're not out of the woods by any means. But now we have something to work with.

“Tomorrow will come with a new challenge. Not unexpected, the big weather forecast yesterday afternoon is due to arrive. Out on the periphery, our location should be fine; nothing all of us haven't worked in hundreds of times so we're hoping for business as usual. But we have to wait and see. At the very least the boys will be donning their rain coats and tightening the chin straps on their sou'westers; should be a good time. Sometimes the sweetest ones are earned the hard way.

“Photo today features Royal Star veteran Ben Van Dyke, better known as “BVD” who barely missed the mark with his first run at a jumbo yellowfin. This dandy weighed in at a worthy 196.”

More For The Money

Did you forget to buy this great tool for saltwater fishermen? Last year’s calendar set a high mark, but this year’s 2015 Sportfishing Calendar jacks it up to the top notch! Here’s where you’ll see a close-up of the fastest, meanest and prettiest fish in the Pacific, and learn a bit about how to catch ‘em. The Fred Hall Shows, Day At The Docks, Kids Fish Free times, holidays, moon phases and all the other important southland dates are marked for you. Incredible shots of wahoo, dorado, lunker yellowtail, cow tuna, roosterfish and whopper halibut show off each month, while the grid below sports blue waveforms of copyrighted Tidelines, offering state-of-the-tide at any given moment. Startling panoramic photos, diagramed hook knots, sharp bonus pictures and long range boat schedules are right in front of you. Holidays, moon phases and kids fish free days are marked, like Day at the Docks. Get your 2015 Sportfishing Calendar soon, from FishingVideos.com or your favorite saltwater tackle store!